Gainsborough (horse)
Gainsborough (1915–1945) was a British bred Thoroughbred racehorse who won the English Triple Crown in 1918 and became a superior sire.
Background
Gainsborough was a bay horse bred by his owner Lady James Douglas (1854-1941). The colt was named after the town of Gainsborough, Lincolnshire because his owner liked the sound of the name. Gainsborough was sired by Bayardo, who also sired the 1917 Triple Crown winner, Gay Crusader, and was out of Rosedrop, who won the 1910 Epsom Oaks and £9,809.
Gainsborough's damsire was St. Frusquin, who won nine races including the 1896 2,000 Guineas and £33,960. Galopin was duplicated in the third and fourth generations of Gainsborough’s pedigree. He was not a big horse but possessed very good conformation and a kind temperament. One commentator described him as a "horse that would stand a campaign on the Western Front with Sir Douglas Haig on his back." Gainsborough was quite mature when he was offered at the yearling sales but did not reach the reserve that was placed on his price.
